I knew this was coming.
It's how Arlen Specter -- and now, apparently, his new pals at the PA State Democratic Committee -- play the game.
State Democratic Executive Director Mary Isenhour just sent an email blast, most likely to all the Democrats on the PA Dems statewide email list, lying about Joe Sestak's appearance on CNN yesterday.
I expected this from the Specter campaign. I'm beyond angry that it came from my party.
More below...
From Mary Isenhour's email:
Stunned – just stunned. That’s what I was when I heard Joe Sestak on CNN yesterday morning refuse to commit to supporting whoever the Democratic nominee is against Pat Toomey in November....
But with his remarks yesterday morning, Congressman Sestak not only lost my vote – he lost my respect.
Throughout this hard-fought battle, I have always tried to show Congressman Sestak respect as a member of our Party and as a sitting member of Congress.
But, for him to say yesterday that he may support Pat Toomey in November is completely unacceptable in my book – and as a Democrat, it should be in yours too.
As most here probably know, CNN's Candy Crowley yesterday asked both Specter and Sestak whether they'd support their opponent if tomorrow's primary ended in defeat. Sestak, drawing on his military background answered by saying that defeat wasn't an option, that his training was to always expect victory.
"Never deal with something that's not going to happen," he responded. "We are going to win, because the working families are the ones that win when we do win."
I have no problem with that response.
Later yesterday, CNN again interviewed Sestak outside a Philadelphia church he had just visited.
Sestak would not say he would endorse Specter, but rather noted he would "do anything to make sure we beat Pat Toomey," in the November general election. Toomey is the former GOP congressman, whose nomination for his party's candidacy is all but a formality.
"As I said, I come from a background in the military where the prospect of winning is the only, only option you have," Sestak told CNN in an interview after addressing the congregation at the Mount Ephraim Baptist Church. "But I'll do anything to make sure that Pat Toomey doesn't win. But we're gonna win. Pat Toomey is gonna lose."
But that didn't stop Mary Isenhour, on behalf of the PA Democratic Party, from sending out a last-minute lie to voters going to the polls tomorrow.
As a PA Democrat, I am ashamed of Mary Isenhour, her boss State Party Chair TJ Rooney, and our Governor Ed Rendell for creating a climate that would permit this kind of last-minute smear to happen.
Once Joe Sestak wins tomorrow, it is time to evaluate whether this leadership really speaks for Pennsylvania Democratic voters.
I know it doesn't speak for me.